“You can pay up later. I have some ideas on how we can settle this score.” Talon snickered in Rhea’s ear.
“So, it’s more than just sex, then?” Rhea asked, shooing away Talon’s taunting.
“Yes,” I said, unable to keep the crimson flush from finding my cheeks.
“Well, I wouldn’t blame you.” Rhea sighed, ignoring her mate’sloudeye roll. “You’ve been keeping yourself locked up for far too long, in my opinion.”
“She waswaiting,” Neera said in my defense.
“Okay, fine. To each their own,” Rhea said, waving Neera off. “Continue, Sky. How do you know he’s your mate?”
“High Fae can sense a mate bond, but that doesn’t matter, because honestly… I fell in love with him.”
“That’s not shocking news,” Talon huffed.
Rhea playfully slapped Talon’s chest. “We were surprised that Talon was able to pick up on the fact that Daxton was drawn to you, and you hadn’t yet,” Rhea muttered.
“Before the second trial, I told him I loved him,” I said, “and he…” My voice trailed off, fondly remembering that night with perfect clarity. “He confessed that he’d known since the first time he met me in the meadow…That his soul had found its other half. That I was his mate, and he was hopelessly and eternally in love with me.”
Neera sighed as her eyes softened.
“Which was so obvious that even my brother could see it,” Shaw replied, giving me a half-smile.
“Both of you can go suck on a rock.” Talon glowered at them, crossing his large arms over his chest.
“Am I going to be able to finish this story?” I asked.
“Not likely,” Shaw answered for the group. “But you can try.”
“Right.” I chuckled. “You remember my dream? The one I had in the meadow?”
“Yes,” Rhea and Neera answered, curiosity sparking in their expressions.
“That meadow is in Silver Meadows. And the orange and silver flower with an ebony stem?”
“That imaginary flower you obsessed over for years?” Rhea asked.
“Yes.” I smiled. “It’s real. Daxton created it.”
“Gods above,” Talon breathed. “That very well might be the new standard forfatedmates.”
“But you haven’t shifted yet, right?” Neera asked.
“Our bond is unsealed, but it is there,” I said, absently rubbing the scar on my wrist. My animal stirred to life in my chest, the thought of Daxton’s love surrounding me like a shield of armor.
Rhea reached out and grasped my hand. “Like a spark, or the feeling of liquid fire stirring in your veins. You feel a pull toward him. Always aware of where he is and a sense of what he’s feeling.”
I nodded.
“Loveis the bridge.” Neera sighed.
“So, I have to ask, why is Daxton not here with you?” Shaw questioned.
I clenched my eyes, fighting back tears. “He was captured. And is being held as a bargaining tool for my return.”
“Who the hell is powerful enough to capture Daxton?” Rhea asked, leaning to the side with her arms crossed.
“Queen Minaeve.”
